Automatic eggshell perforating machine



Sept. 12, 1939. G. T. THOMAS AUTOMATIC EGGSHELL PERFORATING MACHINEFiled Oct. 16. 1937 Fig.1

INVENTOR W :Z

Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC EGGSHELLPERFORATING MACHINE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for the treatment of eggs in theeggshells, for preservation and pickling, by perforating the eggshellsof raw, or boiled eggs as a preparatory operation and as stated inapplication for Letters Patent of the United States filed July 20, 1937,Serial Number 154,673.

In this machine a rotary conveyor rotates inside of a frame andoval-shaped or circular race or egg track, and is composed of a guidecage, cushion lined, and is secured to a shaft comprised of separableparts and supporting a crosshead which carries one or more self aligningcushion lined conveyor cups, automatically adjustable for the size ofthe eggs as to diameter. The said cups convey the eggs from a loadingchute by rolling them along the inner perimeter of the cushion linedoval-shaped cir ular race, which is secured to the frame. The split ordivided shaft carries a notched index cam on each side of the eggshellperforating machine which guide and operate index cam rollers of the oneor more perforating punches. Each of said punches is equipped with oneor more perforating points, locked securely in the perforating punch byclamp screw or screw thread and lock nut or by pins in the grooves ofthe stem or provided with bearing sleeves in the perforating punch forrotating by means of flexible shaft drive as in drilling.

Each notch of both index cams at intervals springs the perforatingpoints through the holes in the oval-shaped race, and cushion lining ofthe same, and perforates the eggshell while the egg is directly in linewith the perforating points. Slow speed rotary motion of the shaftconveys the eggs from first to the last perforating punch, and thedistance between the above points is one or more times the perimeter ofthe diameter of the egg. The purpose of this is to spread theperforating action as far apart as possible to avoid undue strain andpossible fracture of the eggshell, if too many perforations wereproduced at one point.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich Fig. 1 is a top or plan view in section on the line l-l in Figure3.

Figure 2 is a plan or end view of a perforating punch with perforatingpoints and end cam rollers.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the upper part and elevation view ofthe lower part of the eggshell perforating machine. The section beingtaken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Throughout the drawing and description the same number is used to referto the same part.

The frame or base 2 is provided with two or more mounting screwholes,and is hinged at the top on both sides, with a screw and secured at 5the bottom to the oval-shaped circular race 3, the inner face of whichis lined with soft cushion pad 4, and the lower end of the race istapered and extended for unloading the perforated eggs. in

The egg loading chute 5 is secured to the frame 2, and is lined withsoft cushion pad. The oval-shaped circular race 3 is provided with lugs6 on each side of the eggshell perforating machine with guide bushingsor grooves and spring seats for one or more perforating punches 1, sixpunches being shown in the present instance. Each of said punchescarries an index cam roller 8 on each side of the eggshell perforatingmachine and it is supported and positioned in the frame by compressionsprings 9 on both sides of the eggshell perforating machine.

Each of said punches carries one or more perforating points Ill, threeor five as in the present instance. The above constitutes the frame orstationary part of the eggshell perforating machine, and providesbearings II on each side of the frame for the rotary conveyor in whichone or more self-adjusting and self-aligning conveyor cups I2 arecomprised. Four such cups are shown in the present instance, and each islined with soft cushion pad l3 on the inside. The cups are mounted by aswivel pin l4 locked with pin l5 through the slotted hole of theconveyor cups and the holes in the yoke of the cross-head 5, which issecured by pins on the split shaft I1 between the hubs of the guide cageI8, the hubs of which are secured to the shafting by pins, withcross-head I 6 placed between the hubs of the guide l8. Holes in thehubs of the guide cage I8 provide seats for compression springs IQ, foraligning conveyor cups I 2, and the face of the guide cage is lined withsoft cushion pad.

To the outer end of each divisional portion of the split shaft I!notched index cams 2| and 22 are secured with pins. The said split shaft[1 with cams 2| and 22 and the complete rotary conveyor may be driven bya belt passing around the pulley 23, or it may be driven by hand by acrank furnished at one end with a handle 24. 50 Four notches 20 areshown in Fig. 1.

To increase output or production the eggshell perforating machine can beganged into a battery of two or more units with a single drive byremoving the handle 24 of one unit or machine and 55 coupling the pulleysleeve of another eggshell perforating machine.

Having now described this invention I claim:

1. In a machine for perforating eggshells, in combination with a frame,a chute adapted to serve eggs to the machine, a transverse shaft, meansfor revolving the shaft, a rotary egg conveyor comprising egg holdingdevices carried by the said shaft and arranged to receive eggs from saidchute, a stationary circular egg race arranged around said rotaryconveyor and adapted to make contact with eggs in said holding devices,

said race having spaced openings, reciprocating said cups wherebytheeggs are revolved, reciprocating members provided'with punch points,said members having springs arranged for holding the members yieldinglyin inward positions and mechanism operated by said shaft and constructedto normally hold said members in outward positions and to release themto the inward action of said springs at intervals.

3. In a machine for perforating eggshells, in combination with a frame,a chute for serving eggs to the machine in series, a shaft, a rotary eggconveyor comprising spaced egg cups pivotally attached to the shaft,said cups having springs arranged to hold. the cups yieldingly inpositions to receive eggs from said chute as said conveyor .rotates, acircular egg race arranged around said rotary conveyor and adapted tomake contact with the eggs in said cups whereby the eggs are revolved,reciprocating members provided with punch points, said members havingcompression springs arranged to draw said members into their inwardpositions, and mechanism operated by said shaft and constructed to meetand hold said members normally in outward positions and to release saidmembers to the inward force of said springs at intervals to perforatethe eggshells and to restore the members in outward positions.

4. In a machine for perforating eggshells, in combination with a frame,a chute for serving eggs to the frame in series, a shaft, means forrevolving the shaft, a rotary egg conveyor comprising spaced egg cupspivotally attached to said shaft and provided with positioning springswhereby the cups are held in positions to receive eggs from said chuteas the conveyor rotates, reciprocating curved members provided withpunch points, said members having springs arranged to press the membersinto their inward positions, said members being provided with. rollersat their ends, said shaft having .cam disks arranged in contact withsaid rollers to normally hold'said members outwardly, said cam disksbeing constructed with notches arranged toadmit said rollers and allowsaid springs to force the members inwardly and perforate the eggshells,and a circular egg race arranged around said conveyor in contactwith theeggs to'revolve' the eggs and provided with holes for the passage ofsaid piu'ichpoints, the lower port-ions of said race having a dischargechute.

GEORGE T. THOMAS.

